Senior Leadership Team
The CEO, along with his Senior Leadership Team, oversees the day-to-day operations of WDBA in accordance
with the Board’s direction
Bryce Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Bryce Phillips joined Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority as its CEO following an appointment by the Government of Canada in July 2018 and brings more than 35 years of experience as an executive in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Bryce most recently served as Vice President of Kinectrics where he oversaw major infrastructure projects for a broad range of clients in North America and in Europe. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Technical Support Services for AMEC, a company providing nuclear safety solutions for nuclear power plants worldwide. He also held key leadership positions at the Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations, including Operations Manager, Plant Manager, Deputy Vice President and Senior Vice President. Among his many accomplishments, Bryce worked with the board of directors and led his team to achieve the Institute of Nuclear Operations Excellence Award for quality and safety, a first in the world for a four-unit nuclear facility. A native of Windsor, Ontario, Mr. Phillips holds an engineering degree from the University of Windsor.
Heather Grondin
Vice-President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Heather Grondin has 20 years of experience in communications strategic planning and delivery. Prior to joining Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority as the Vice President of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, she was the Senior Manager of Communications and Issues Management at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation leading the communications and consultation efforts for the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway and the Manager of Corporate Communications with Public Works and Government Services Canada – Ontario Region. Heather leads an integrated team of strategic planning, policy and outreach professionals to deliver a robust and dynamic communications program for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
Michelle Balga
Director, Human Resources
Michelle Balga is a highly motivated, enthusiastic and passionate HR professional with more than 15 years of experience optimizing the delivery of human resources services and ensuring employee recognition, engagement and empowerment. As the Director, Human Resources at Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), Michelle and her team, focus on Talent Management, Total Rewards, Employee Relations, Health, Safety and Wellness. Prior to joining WDBA in 2015, Michelle worked with ENWIN Utilities in Windsor as a Human Resources Generalist and has prior HR experience within the automotive sector. Michelle is a University of Windsor Alumni as she has earned a B.Com, Management and Labour Studies and was part of the Co-op program. Michelle is also a member of the Human Resources Professional Association. Michelle has recently connected with the Women of Windsor Mentorship Collaborative, to become a mentor to assist women with their diverse and ranging career and professional development ambitions.
Phillip Simpson
Vice President of the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO)
Phil Simpson, MBA, B.,Eng. (Hons), is Vice President of the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) and is involved with project management and construction governance oversight for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Phil presents a strategic outlook at establishing the tools to succeed in developing project management integration, project controls/ impacts, performance KPI targets, construction governance, and timeline deliverables. Prior to joining WDBA, he worked at Bruce Power, as Independent Project Oversight Senior Advisor, reporting directly to CEO. During his tenure he was responsible for providing project oversight, for asset management estimates, MCR readiness, including identifying risk and quality opportunities, cost and schedule reviews, monitor and implement correction action plans. In 2014, Phil was Lead Executive Management Consultant reporting directly to the CEO at VA Business Solutions. Phil holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree, Electrical from Paisley University in Scotland, as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree, from Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow, Scotland.
Mike St. Amant
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Mike St. Amant oversees financial and process improvement matters for one of North America’s largest infrastructure projects: the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Previous to joining WDBA, Mike spent a decade with the City of Toronto, working as Director of Accounting and later City Treasurer. Under his leadership, the City implemented PS3150 Tangible Capital Assets, updated SAP Financials, merged four city pension funds with OMERS, and oversaw Toronto's Supply Chain Transformation initiative. He was also a key member of the oversight team for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway extension - a $3.1 billion project involving the federal and provincial government, Region of York, Toronto Transit Commission, and the City of Toronto.
Leslie Martin P.Eng, PMP
Executive Vice-President, Engineering and Operations
Leslie Martin is a Civil Engineer with over 37 years of experience managing a wide range of projects related to planning, design and construction of transportation facilities. His experience includes project management, environmental assessments, design and construction administration for all modes of transportation including highways, bridges, rail, transit, municipal roads and airports. Leslie is experienced in project management, engineering, business management, stakeholder consultations and strategic planning and has managed large and complex multidisciplinary infrastructure projects delivered by conventional design-bid-build, design-build and public-private partnership delivery models. Leslie has considerable experience in P3 projects both from the Owners’ and Concessionaire perspective, across North America. This includes the Union-Pearson Express Rail Link; Ottawa LRT, Terminal 3 Development, I-595 in Fort Lauderdale, Calgary and Edmonton Ring Roads. Other significant projects by conventional delivery include the TTC Spadina Subway Extension ($2.6B); Winnipeg Airport Redevelopment ($670M); and Groundside Roads, Bridge, Utilities and Automated People Mover at Pearson International Airport ($1B) as part of the $4.4B Terminal Development Project.
Vicky Tuquero
General Counsel
Vicky Tuquero has more than 15 years of experience as both legal counsel and a private practicing lawyer. Her expertise is in commercial transactions, including contract negotiation and drafting, real estate transactions, and procurement both in a public setting and through the evolving public-private partnership (P3) model. Vicky also has significant experience on cross-border litigation matters in Canada and the United States and has helped develop major projects in the field of infrastructure, construction, engineering and real estate.